Apparatus for handling cane



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

, A. A. LORIO. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CANE.

momma M A m Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

3' Sheets-Sheet 2,

A. A. LORIO. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CANE.

Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

A. A. LORIO. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CANE.

Patgnted Nov. 10, 1896.

ATENT FFICE.

ANTHONY A. IAORIO, OF LAKELAND, LOUISIANA.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CANE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,233, dated November 10, 1896.

Application filed June 1, 1896. Serial N0. 593,898. (N 11106.81.)

To all whom it ntay concern.-

Be it known that I, ANTHONY A. LORIO, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lake land, in the parish of Pointe Coupe and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Handling Cane; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for handling cane or the like.

The object is to provide an apparatus that may be operated with readiness and ease to lift a bundle of cane or the like free from the ground and hold it suspended while being transported to a place of discharge or of storage; furthermore, to simplify the construction of the supporting-trame,-so as to reduce the parts thereof to a minimum; furthermore,

to provide simple and effective mechanism for lifting the bundle of cane, and, finally, to provide an apparatus of the character specified which shall be highly efficient and durable in use and comparatively inexpensive of production.

\Vith these objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of an apparatus for handling cane, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In an apparatus characterized by my invention I provide a supporting-frame, whereof the side pieces, of which there are two in number, constitute an extension of the tonguehounds, or, in other words, the side pieces by being bent or formed to the proper shape form the said hounds. This supporting-frame is secured in any suitable manner to the axle, which, for the purpose of providing ample space to admit of the bundle of cane being lifted free of the ground, is substantially rectangular in elevation, and maybe made, if desired, laterally adjustable, so as to increase or diminish the carrying capacity of the apparatus. Supported upon the frame or side pieces is a framework extending above the axle and connected by a longitudinally-disposed brace or beam, constituting an overhead support, from which depend blocks, through which pass the ropes for lifting and supporting the cane, these ropes, of which there are in this instance but two, being wound upon independently-operating drums. The mechanism for operating these drums and for lifting the load may consist each of a single pair of gears and double blocks,or double gearing an d single blocks, or of a single pair of gears and single blocks, the particular kind of gearing and blocks employed being governed by the work the apparatus is to performthat is to say, whether it is to lift heavy or light loads. In this connection it may be stated that the peculiar construction of the frame and the axle and the disposition of the drums, ropes, blocks, and gearing with relation thereto render the apparatus adaptable for the trans portation of logs or heavy timbers. Further and more specific details of construction will appear farther on.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, I have illustrated two forms of embodiment of my invention, although it is to be understood that other ,forms of embodiment thereof may be employed without departing from the spirit of the same, and in these drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, looking at the apparatus on that side which carries the mechanism for actuating the drums and lifting the load, which mechanism, in this embodiment of my invention, comprises double gearing and single blocks. Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation, displaying more clearly the arrangement of the framework for supporting the blocks through which pass the liftingropes and also the drum-actuating gearing. Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but showing the apparatus provided with single gearing and double blocks. Fig. 5 is a view in plan showing more particularly the peculiar construction of the supportingframe and also the two forms of gearing on a single apparatus, this for the mere purpose of exhibiting the adaptation of either form of gearing to the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, and to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, A designates the side pieces of the supporting-frame of the apparatus, each of which is constructed of a piece of wood straight for a portion of its length and then curved inward to constitute the hounds for the tongue 13, which latter is provided with the usual singletree Z) and siugletrees 11 1'. The side pieces A may, as before stated, be constructed of a single piece of wood; but, if preferred, two or more pieces suitably secured together may be employed, clamped or otherwise held assembled.

O designates the supporting-axle, which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, is approximately rectangularin elevation and is composed of three parts or sections, the two axle-bearing sections 0 c and a clamping-bar 0 the three sections being held assembled by means of clips o The construction of this axle is such as to permit of its being adjusted laterally before the supportingframe is secured in position, so as to increase or to diminish the carrying capacity of the apparatus, according as the requirements of the case may demand.

Mounted upon the side pieces A, and secured thereto by suitable clips or straps, is a supporting frame D, comprising four uprights (I, (Z (Z and d", which incline inward and are secured to a longitudinally-disposed beam or brace E, constituting an overhead support for the blocks F. This beam E is secured to the axle by means of a brace G, the latter serving the double function of strengthening the beam and of bracing the bend of the axle against rocking motion.

II II designate two independcntly-operating drums or windlasses, the ends of the shafts of which are journaled in suitable bearings on the supporting-frame, and as these drums, their actuating mechanism, and attachments are the same a description of one will answer for both. The shaft of each drum carries a gear-wheel I, which meshes with a pinion J on a shaft j, and on this shaft is secured a pinion 7' which meshes with a pinion K on a crank -driven shaft 7t, this arrangement of gears and pinions being employed for thepurpose of gaining power. To hold the gears locked against turning, a pawl i is employed, which is, by preference, of the gravity type, so as to permit of its being readily thrown into and out of operative position with relation to the gear withwhich it meshes. Upon the drum is wound a rope Ii, which passes through the block F and carries at its lower end a bar M, carrying hooks m, designed to engage with the binder at one end of the bundle of cane or the like.

The parts of this apparatus are to be con structed of any suitable material. that will withstand the strain to which the same may be subjected when in use, the proportions of the different parts being governed by the work to be done.

The operation of this form of apparatus is as follows: The cane having been bound into a bundle, the apparatus is driven over it and the hooks m are hooked into the binders of the bundle. The cranks N are now operated to revolve the windlasses and wind the ropes thereon, thereby lifting the bundle free from the ground, and the apparatus in then driven to the place of deposit or of storage.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4c is the same in all respects as the apparatus just described, with the exception that a train of gearing composed of a gear-wheel O and a pinion 0 is employed instead of the double train of gearing and double blocks 1 are employed in lieu of the single blocks F. By this arrangement I gain the same power and dispense with the employment of the double gearing. The operation is the same as above.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the two forms of gearing on a single apparatus, this being merely for the purpose of exhibiting the adaptation of either form of gearing to the apparatus.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An apparatus for handling cane or the like, comprising an arched axle, side pieces secured thereto and constituting the tonguehounds, an overhead support mounted on the side pieces, and hoisting mechanism actuated by suitable gearing, substantially as described.

2. An apparatus for handling cane, comprising a wheeled frame, an overhead support mounted thereon and carrying blocks, independently-operating drums supported on the frame, ropes wound upon the drums and passin g through the blocks, and hook-bearing bars carried by the ropes, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANTHONY A. LORIO. Witnesses:

T. R. Lonio, R. E. HEwEs. 

